C. Hardyana Flask

[isurus79]

Hi All,
I’ve got a flask that came in the mail with under sized plants and got mold a few weeks later 🤬🤬 Here’s my attempt at saving some. Anyone else ever tried this with orchids this young? Cypress mulch on top and eco web on the bottom in a small water well to provide humidity.

Untitled by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Untitled by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Untitled by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Untitled by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Untitled by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Untitled by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

---------- Post added at 09:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 PM ----------

FYI- These guys are a week out of flask and so far so good.

[neophyte]

Can't say I've got any experience but I was just wondering how you plan on fertilizing them, now that they're out of flask and out of readily available nutrients, and if you've got several of these jars or just one with all of the seedlings.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by neophyte

Can't say I've got any experience but I was just wondering how you plan on fertilizing them, now that they're out of flask and out of readily available nutrients, and if you've got several of these jars or just one with all of the seedlings.

I've only got one of these, thank goodness! lol

For now I'm using fish tank water as fertilizer. I'll start with kelpmax in a week or two I think.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Certainly looks viable.

Major bummer about getting an unclean flask!!

I had a similar incident and I lost the plants because i used straight sphag and it did not breath enough. That mulch looks perfect.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Certainly looks viable.

Major bummer about getting an unclean flask!!

I had a similar incident and I lost the plants because i used straight sphag and it did not breath enough. That mulch looks perfect.

Thanks! Spag was considered and rejected for that very reason!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Wise man!

[smweaver]

Are cattleyas in a flask typically this small when they're sold? I have never bought a flask of orchids, but if they are usually this small and the flask is prone to fungal contamination, I think I'll probably stick to large seedlings or adults. Good luck with your recovery efforts, Steve.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Are cattleyas in a flask typically this small when they're sold? I have never bought a flask of orchids, but if they are usually this small and the flask is prone to fungal contamination, I think I'll probably stick to large seedlings or adults. Good luck with your recovery efforts, Steve.

Yes, typically you get flasklings that are at least close to deflasking, or at least close enough to ensure they're likely to live if potted up normally. I've found no one is really selling Hardyana in the USA, so I figured I'd jump start my collection with a flask while available.

[smweaver]

You're right. Hardyana isn't easy to find. And whenever I see one (usually on Ebay) the bidding goes sky high. Hopefully some of your babies will grow to adulthood.

[Fairorchids]

The seedlings in that flask are WAY too small for deflasking (seller should be ashamed).

Too late now, but if you ever have this happen again, you can save the flask by taking it outside into bright sunlight, and use a magnifying glass to burn away the mold (without opening the flask). You can then let the seedlings develop to normal size before deflasking.